One Million Pounds of Frozen Ground Beef Products Recalled Due to Possible E. Coli 0157:H7 Contamination

Valley Meat Company,
a Modesto, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately one million
pounds of frozen ground beef patties and bulk ground beef products that may
be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FSIS became aware of the problem on July 15 when the agency was notified
by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of a small E. coli
O157:H7 cluster of illnesses with a rare strain as determined by PFGE
subtyping. A total of six patients with illness onset dates between April 8
and June 18, 2010 were reported at that time. After further review, CDPH
added another patient from February to the case count, bringing the count to
seven. FSIS is continuing to work with the CDPH and the company on the
investigation. Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should
contact a health care provider.

The following products are subject to recall:

(#2155) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 8/1R

(#2503) SMASHBURGER 40/7 OZ. - VAC PACK

(#2510) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 OVAL

(#2515) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 2/1 R

(#2535) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1 OVAL

(#2545) IQF 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 3/1R

(#2575) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 4/1R

(#2595) IQF - 80/20% PATTIES 4/1R THIN

(#2605) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 5/1R

(#2635) *IQF* 80/20% BEEF PATTIES 6/1R

(#2668) BEEF CHUCK PATTIES 7 OZ- 21#

(#3075) *IQF* 85/15% PATTIES 4/1R USFI\

(#3090) 'RPQ' 85/15 PATTIES 160/4 OZ.

(#3325) "RPQ" 90/10 BEEF PATTIES 40/4 OZ

(#3350) 90/10% BEEF PATTIES 160/4 OZ.

(#3450)SUPREMAS BEEF PATTIES 12/3#

(#3519) *IQF* 4/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%

(#3520) *IQF* 5/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%

(#3522) *IQF* 6/1 SOY PATTIES 80/20%

(#3675) BEEF SOY PATTIES RETAIL 6/5#

(#3700) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES - 12/3#

(#3705) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES - 6/5#

(#3710) 73/27% RETAIL PATTIES - 8/3#

(#3715) BIGGER VALLEY BURGER - 6/5#

(#3725) 80/20 BIGGER BURGER 12/3#

(#3751) 80/20% RETAIL PATTIES 12/3#

(#3800) 85/15% RETAIL PATTIES - 12/3#

(#3850) BLACK ANGUS BURGER 12/2# BOX

(#3875) 93/7% BEEF PATTIES 12/3# RETAIL

(#3880) BUTCHER'S CUT 73/27 RETAIL BOXES 8#

(#3882) BUTCHER'S CUT 73/27 PATTIES 12/2.5#

(#3883) BUTCHER'S CUT 80/20 PATTIES 12/2.5#

(#4000) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 10/1#

(#4001) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 20/2#

(#4005) 73/27% GROUND BEEF - 40/1#

(#4015) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/5#

(#4020) 73/27% GROUND BEEF - 8/5#

(#4030) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 4/10#

(#4035) 73/27% GROUND BEEF 15/3#

(#4300) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 10/1#

(#4305) 80/20% GROUND BEEF - 40/1#

(#4310) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/5#

(#4315) 80/20% GROUND BEEF 8/5#

(#4325) 80/20% GROUND BEEF - 4/10#

(#4326)*FRESH** 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10#

(#4328)80/20 GROUND BEEF 4/10# WHITE BOX

(#4329) 'RPQ' 80/20% GROUND BEEF 4/10#

(#4335)80/20% GROUND BEEF 2/5# - PRINTED

(#4610) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/5#

(#4615) 85/15% GROUND BEEF 8/5#

(#4625) "RPQ" 85/15% GROUND BEEF 4/10#

(#4630) 85/15% G B 4/10# CLEAR-generic

#4915) 90/10% GROUND BEEF - 8/5#

(#4925) 90/10% GROUND BEEF 4/10# / WHITE

(#4930) 90/10% G B 4/10# / CLEAR-generic

(#4980) 93/7% GROUND BEEF 4/10#

(2714) HEARST 80/20 PATTIES 5/1R -10#

(2715) HEARST GROUND BEEF 12/1# RETAIL

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number "EST. 8268"
inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a production code of 27509
through 01210. These products were produced between the dates of Oct. 2,
2009 through Jan. 12, 2010 and were distributed to retail outlets and
institutional foodservice providers in California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona
and internationally. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be
posted on FSIS' website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/
Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.

FSIS and the establishment are concerned that some product may still be
frozen and in consumers' freezers. FSIS strongly encourages consumers to
check their freezers and immediately discard any product that is the subject
of this recall.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody
diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The
very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most
susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness
should contact a health care provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that firms
notify their customers (including restaurants) of a recall and that steps
are taken to make certain that a suspect product is no longer available to
consumers.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products,
including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been
cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef
is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a
food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to
the company's spokespeople, Vanessa Smith at (916) 492-5314 or Brooke
Burgess at (916) 492-5321.

Consumers may call a company sponsored help desk at (866) 221-6474. They
may also log on to:www.valleymeat.com/our-team/recall-information/.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual
representative available 24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov. The toll-free
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available
in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern
Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24
hours a day.

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